ATHENS, Ohio -- A.T. Kearney Inc. of Alexandria, Va., has been chosen as the national search firm to assist in the process of identifying and screening candidates for the next president of Ohio University. The decision was announced following the meeting of the 20-member Ohio University Presidential Search and Screening Committee today in Columbus, Ohio.

"Following an extensive screening process, we have determined that A.T. Kearney will provide us with the level of expertise and support we need to assure the most comprehensive and aggressive approach to identifying the most qualified candidates for consideration," said Ohio University Board of Trustees Chairman Robert Walter, who is spearheading the search.

A.T. Kearney recently coordinated successful presidential searches at public universities such as the University of Michigan and the University of North Carolina and private institutions Bates, Bowdoin and Colby colleges, among others.

"A.T. Kearney has a strong track record of identifying candidates who are the right 'fit' and have the appropriate professional and personal skills to work with members of the university community and lead their respective institutions forward," Walter said. "We feel they are most qualified to work with the committee in finding candidates who are best qualified to lead Ohio University."

Over the next few weeks, the search committee and A.T. Kearney will work together to articulate the key criteria for presidential candidates and to establish a timetable for upcoming meetings and other further steps in the process.

Shelly Weiss Storbeck, managing director and vice president of A.T. Kearney Education Practice, was on hand at Thursday's meeting to meet with search committee members and to begin laying the groundwork for the search.

The Presidential Search and Screening Committee includes representation of an array of university and community constituencies, including university students, faculty, deans, trustees, staff, administrators, alumni, the University Foundation and the Athens community.

The goal is to name a new president by April of 2004. Ohio University President Robert Glidden has announced his retirement, effective June 30, 2004. Glidden, 66, was named Ohio University's 19th president in 1994.